Disney Killed The Kylo Ren Movie (And That's A Good Thing)

Overview

This episode critiques the recently revealed plans for a Kylo Ren movie, The Hunt for Ben Solo, which was ultimately rejected by Disney. The discussion explores the character's flaws, the financial and creative missteps of Disney's Star Wars sequels, and why shelving the project was likely the right decision.

Notable Quotes

- Saying that a good Kylo Ren movie would save Star Wars is a bit like saying that a fresh coat of paint would make the Titanic good as new.

- Adam Driver deserved better. Kylo Ren deserved better. And Star Wars deserved better.

- He died of cringe within seconds. - on Kylo Ren's infamous kiss in The Rise of Skywalker.

🎥 The Kylo Ren Movie Proposal

- Adam Driver revealed plans for a Kylo Ren movie titled The Hunt for Ben Solo, set after The Rise of Skywalker.

- Driver expressed enthusiasm for reprising the role, citing his love for the character and the script, which he described as one of the coolest [__] scripts he had seen.

- The project was pitched to Lucasfilm and received initial approval but was ultimately rejected by Disney executives, citing the character's death in canon as a major obstacle.

🤔 Critique of Kylo Ren as a Character

- The host critiques Kylo Ren's inconsistent characterization across the sequel trilogy, describing him as a plaything for different writers with no coherent arc.

- Specific moments, such as his temper tantrums, idolization of Darth Vader, and the controversial kiss with Rey, are highlighted as examples of poor character development.

- The host argues that Kylo Ren was never a fully realized character and that no movie could redeem the damage done by the sequel trilogy.

💸 Financial Failures of Disney Star Wars

- The financial underperformance of The Rise of Skywalker and Solo is discussed as a key reason for Disney's reluctance to greenlight another Star Wars movie.

- The Rise of Skywalker reportedly cost $600 million to produce and barely turned a profit, while Solo lost at least $100 million.

- The host suggests that Disney's strategy of repurposing failed movie scripts into Disney+ miniseries reflects their lack of confidence in theatrical releases.

🎭 Adam Driver's Career Beyond Star Wars

- Despite the host's criticism of Kylo Ren, Adam Driver is praised as a talented actor who has successfully built a career outside of Star Wars.

- Unlike other sequel trilogy actors, such as Daisy Ridley and John Boyega, Driver is seen as having the range and charisma to thrive without relying on Disney.

- The host argues that Driver is better off distancing himself from the Star Wars franchise, which has been plagued by creative mismanagement.

🚢 The State of the Star Wars Franchise

- The host laments the decline of Star Wars under Disney's stewardship, describing the sequel trilogy as a cavalcade of ridiculous [__] and a monument to creative incompetence.

- The rejection of The Hunt for Ben Solo is framed as a rare good decision by Disney, as the movie would likely have been another embarrassing spectacle in the franchise.

- The episode concludes with a call to let go of the past and move on from the mistakes of Disney's Star Wars era.